Indian tax authorities raided the BBC’s UK offices for the third day in a row on Thursday.
The investigation is still ongoing, as reported by local television station NDTV. It says about international taxation and funds that are said to have moved between different parts of the multinational corporation.
According to information, tax investigators will copy data from electronic devices to secure evidence. The BBC has asked most of its staff to work from home.
Possible background: A few weeks ago, the BBC published a critically acclaimed documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi (72). The opposition accuses the government of specifically targeting the BBC.
Allegation: The BBC is said to have diverted funds. But the search could also be seen as an attack on press freedom
In the past, there have been cases where tax authorities visited media offices and human rights organizations. The Editors Guild of India journalists association called this a “trend that undermines democracy”. According to Reporters Without Borders, press freedom in India suffered during Modi’s tenure.
Recently released by the BBC, this film follows Modi’s role during the riots in the state of Gujarat in 2002 when he was head of government there. More than 1,000 people died in the riots, mostly Muslims. In the film, those affected, activists and journalists share their views.
India’s foreign ministry declared the film to be propaganda, having a “colonial attitude”. (dpa/ias)
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